Cross Country: Evan Cummins, Downers Grove North boys cap off perfect season with sectional title

CHICAGO – Evan Cummins was a freshman when the Downers Grove North boys cross country program enjoyed its greatest season and only state championship in 2017.

Now a senior, Cummins was at the forefront of another memorable and unprecedented perfect season Saturday.

The Trojans edged Neuqua Valley 77-82 to win the Class 3A Whitney Young Sectional in Lincoln Park in the final IHSA-sanctioned event.

Like 2017 and in 2016, when they took second in 3A, the Trojans also swept West Suburban Silver and regional titles. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the Nov. 7 state meet was canceled and sectionals weren't added until late September.

“(Sectionals) was definitely a state-esque feeling and kind of a way to cap off the season. Our last official race as North and we were just giving it everything we had,” Cummins said.

“At the beginning of the season (Downers North coach John Sipple) was comparing us to the 2016 team. Definitely I’m so proud of how we raced today. Only a couple of teams in school history have gone undefeated in the postseason and to be able to do that was crazy.”

Downers North runners are like many 3A teams that hope to compete at the Shazam Racing Division III Championships unofficial state meet Nov. 7 in Chillicothe. But that’s non-school affiliated and invitation only for as many as 20 teams and 30 individuals.

Had there been an IHSA state meet, under the new postseason format Saturday’s top-seven teams would have qualified for state as well as the top 10 individuals not among those teams. The Trojans would have raced against top-ranked defending state champion St. Charles East for the first time.

Cummins and junior Roy Llewellyn finished seventh and ninth for top-10 all-sectional honors. Junior Kyle McNally (17th) also was top-20.

The Trojans entered the season with question marks as Cummins, Llewellyn and McNally were the only three returnees from last year’s state lineup that finished 11th. With the track season canceled in mid-March and no summer camp, runners had significant responsibility to prepare – and improve -- on their own.

“I’m just really impressed with their commitment and to one another,” Sipple said. “These guys really put their stamp on it (Saturday), going through all that stuff we’ve gone through this year and what they achieved despite it."

Hinsdale Central was fifth behind sophomore Dan Watcke’s second-place 14:54.16. Oswego was eighth, two points behind seventh-place Jones.

Oswego East sophomore Alexander Das (13th) and senior Nick Henz (14th), Oswego juniors Balin Doud (20th) and Ethan Forsell and Downers Grove South junior Tim Neumann would have been individual state qualifiers.

Watcke (14:54.16) and Naperville Central senior Arthur Graham (1st, 14:45.85) were the only sub-15 finishers. Watcke was the only sophomore or freshman in the top 12.

“Before every race (our coaches) give us a goal. Mine was to get top three," Watcke said. "It was the last race of the season so I just wanted to leave it all out there.”

In the girls race, Downers North, Oswego East and Downers South were third, fourth and fifth and Oswego seventh behind sectional champion Naperville North. Eighth-place Hinsdale Central, 10 points behind Oswego, would have had individual state qualifiers in sophomores Catie McCabe (all-sectional 7th), and Sarah Fischer.

Downers North senior Melissa Jachim was an all-sectional fourth (17:34.63), and freshman Sydney Hnatiuk and senior Allison van de Wetering were 14th and 15th. Downers South junior Sophia McNerney was 17th.

"I was thinking top 10. But I was hoping top five," Jachim said. "Although it’s not a lifetime (best), I’m just happy that I definitely put it out all there today."

Oswego sophomore Audra Soderlind (17:58.88) and Oswego East senior Naylah Allen (18:01.97) were an all-sectional eighth and ninth. Oswego East freshman Morgan Dick was 19th.

In 2019, Soderlind was 12th at sectionals en route to 39th at state.

“(All-sectional) means a lot to me. Last year, honestly, that was my goal,” Soderlind said. “This course is definitely challenging so going under 18 was pretty good.”

Allen, 45th at the 2019 sectionals, would have made her first and last state appearance.

“It’s bittersweet for the season to be over but I feel so grateful and thankful and happy (it happened),” Allen said.